The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-07-23
EUROPEAN RAILWAYS.
Hardships Encountered by Travellers In
england and on the Continent.


england and on the Continent.
Inc Pullman car is unknown in
European railroading, and but few
Mann boudoir cars are in existence.
The nearest approach to American
''sleepers'' is the car fitted ND with the
fauteutt-Ist, or bed-chair, which is an
ordinary seat that may be converted
into poor substitute for bed, and
the extra cost of this luxury is about
one-third of the price Of the ticket.
Three fauteatt-lits fill compartment,
and the occupants of those away from
the door must climb over the others in
getting In or out after the beds have
been opened. There are no toilet facili-
ties on European trains, and retiring
closets are by no means universal.
Most Of the coupes, which are places dc
lure IN first-class arriages-compart
ments for four people instead of eight,
as in the body of the coach-have
closets, but they are generally in the
baggage-car or under the brakeman,
and the keys of these cabinets
are in the keeping of the con-
ductor. who opens them upon APP
plication, but they can only be reached
or left while train is halted at sta
ton. The coaches differ from ours in
being divided into compartments which
seat eight persons, and each compart-
ment is entered from the end, there be-
ing no dividing aisle. The carriages
are Of three and sometimes four classes,
and each carriage is numbered for its
class In Germany the first-class
coaches have their seats upholstered in
velvet and the second with cloth; the
third-chss have seats of plain board,
and the fourth no seats ut all, passen-
gers either standing up or squatting on
the floor. In France and Italy the
quickest trains are made up of first
class carriages. The fare by mixed
trains freight and passenger) is only
about one-third that charged for first
class expresses. The sale of tickets
ceases from five to ten minutes before
the departure of taain, and
the registration of baggage not less
than fifteen. The traveller first buys his
ticket and then goes to the baggage
agent, who stands in II little Office close
to the baggage counter. The baggage
is weighed and the weight declared by
an attendant; the agent takes the ticket.
stamps it to show that it has received
it baggage allowance, then fills out the
receipt, stating the number oftrunks,
their weight and the amount paid, if any.
When there is no excess there is usu-
ally charge of ten ccntimes-two cents
for the receipt; the paper should
be carefully guarded, as its production
is necessary ut the destination to secure
the delivery of the baggage. In En-
gland no receipt is given; you must
mark and pick out your property on the
platform. If you look ut the receipt
given you on the continent, you will
find column for dogs. and q dog COM
partment, with grated doors. is found
on every train. In England 100 pounds
of baggage is allowed; in France and
Spain, 65; in Germany, so to 20; in
Austria, 55; in Sweden, 66; in Russia,
SIS. and in Denmark, IS. In Bavaria,
Italy and most parts of Switzerland ey-
cry pound of baggage must be paid for,
and in all European countries the rates
Cor excess baggage are very high. ST.
LoaiS Globe Democrat.